08-11-1924
Volume OE - Pages 397-401
Reno, Nevada
August 11 & 14 & 16 & 20, 1924
Adjourned meeting of the Board as of August 11 met at 10 o'clock
A.M. to consider report on heating plant. Present: Mrs. Hood,
Judge Talbot and Chairman Pratt.
Report on heating plant had not arrived. There was no word from
Mr. Duncan. It was the sense of the meeting that Regent Talbot
and Superintendent Lynch install proper chains on posts at en-
trance to Campus.
The Board discussed the matter of putting in cement walk across
the lawn from Morrill Hall to the bridge at the Lake Street en-
trance. Action was deferred until the regular meeting on August
30th.
Meeting adjourned until Thursday evening at 7 P.M., August 14,
1924.
Adjourned meeting convened at 7 P.M., August 14, 1924. Present:
Chairman Pratt, Mrs. Hood, Judge Talbot, Comptroller Gorman, Drs.
Frandsen and Schappelle.
Chairman Pratt inquired of Drs. Frandsen and Schappelle what
they had been doing in the Lehman Cave country and if the Regents
could help them in any way.
Dr. Schappelle said that in the Lehman Caves there were no petro-
glyphs but that there were very interesting picture caves along
Baker Creek and Snake Creek. The Forest Ranger told him of the
caves on Baker Creek where he found picture writings in good
order, both in ochre and charcoal. The animals drawn were moun-
tain goats. The main picture-writing cave has a barrier in front
of it, the result of a succession of cloudbursts. Drawings are
found in the more remote parts of the caves. There are 3 caves
connected with the caves on Snake Creek by an old Indian trail.
The Forest Ranger reported the trail as fairly well defined. Dr.
Schappelle was of opinion that perhaps the greatest value of this
discovery was that of popular interest, since the caves were of
very easy access. He was not prepared to say that further ex-
cavation would disclose anything of great scientific value. The
Governor has had some $150 to $200 to expend and some excavating
has already been done. This and further excavating would lay
bare the walls so tourists can see primitive writings. Blasting
five feet down had disclosed a primitive fireplace.
Comptroller Gorman said that he had met the Governor on the
street today and that the Governor said that State funds had been
about exhausted and that the Governor wishes the University to
cooperatie in work of excavation if only to the extent of a
small sum.
Dr. Schappelle said that the caves followed an old water course.
One cave continued about 100 feet, where the roof had fallen
down, but a boy was sent on in and he said the roof rose again
to a height of six feet.
Dr. Frandsen said caves were clearly along old water course with
caverns along course. The formation is limestone. They found
one burial chamber with five human skulls, other human bones and
the bones of some wild animals. The value of the findings could
not be told until excavation is practically complete. They are
not of scientific value so far as we can now see, but would add
interest to a recreational park. Near the fireplace bones of
mountain sheep and of the mountain lynx and shells very like
those of the Lahontan beds were found.
Dr. Schappelle said there is a movement in a number of states
to further archaelogical organizations. It would be well to
have just a little fund to carry on excavations. Anything dis-
covered of historical value would be turned over to the Nevada
Historical Society, Paleontology to Dr. Frandsen and Archaelogi-
cal to Mackay School of Mines Museum. There have been discover-
ed 3 distinct prehistoric irrigation systems, one near Elko of
which Judge Talbot has just told him. Another is 15 miles east
of Tonopah. There the ranchers had picked up pottery which they
had gladly turned over to him. It is rather far north for
pottery.
Chairman Pratt said that it had been suggested at the meeting
on the 11th that the University might help a little and Judge
Talbot thought that the Historical Society might help a little.
Dr. Schappelle said that some of the writings show what might
be called original forms of Aztec writing.
Mrs. Hood inquired if any other Regents had ever done anything
along this line. Comptroller Gorman says that the matter had
never been brought up before. Dr. Schappelle first brought it
to our attention.
Chairman Pratt suggested that if Dr. Schappelle and Frandsen
outline a plan of organization and if the Historical Society,
Governor and University then get together, a method of financing
the excavation of the picture caves might be solved. Dr. Schap-
pelle says that it is too much for the Historical Society to
maintain, it is more than we should ask of them. It is educa-
tional largely and should be cared for as scientific station.
Dr. Frandsen said that the animals and plants discovered will be
those that go with picture writing. He hopes some day to see a
general museum on the Campus where natural history exhibits, in-
dustrial and all other exhibits may be brought together. For
instance, there are many small private collections of various
kinds which would be gladly donated to the University were there
any place to house them. Dr. West has an exceedingly good though
small well-labeled exhibit which he will be glad to give to the
University at any time it is prepared to receive it. But the
immediate question is one of funds for excavating, since excava-
tions may disclose other things than picture writing which will
be of cultural value.
Chairman Pratt said he thought a way of cooperating could be
found if it seemed desirable.
Drs. Frandsen and Schappelle then withdrew.
Chairman Pratt said the report on the heating plant had come by
air mail.
The summary of the report indicated that the present system was
overloaded and for immediate relief Mr. Duncan had suggested
installation of the separate boilers in Dining Hall and Mackay
building. The boiler in the Dining Hall would care for the
Dining Hall and Manzanita. That in the Mackay building would
care for the Mackay building, Hospital, Lincoln Hall, Bureau of
Mines and Training Quarters.
For the future evolution of the heating plant, Mr. Duncan rec-
ommended the following:
1. Change from hot water heating system to low pressure
steam vacuum system, changing radiator connections and
distributing mains in present buildings.
2. Put all domestic hot water service on steam system
thereby making one steam connection to each building.
3. Change to Dairy building for location of central heat-
ing plant.
4. Pipe to be genuine wrought iron pipe for new system,
covered with 85% magnesia asbestos covering to insure
long service and minimum loss of radiation.
5. Electric radiators for night service in small offices
of certain academic buildings.
6. Installation of temperature regulation for heating
system thereby saving 30% of the fuel and safeguarding
the health of students and faculty.
Judge Talbot moved adjournment until 2 o'clock Saturday after-
noon, August 16th, if quorum not present, then adjourned until
2 o'clock Monday, August 18th. Vote:
Mrs. Hood Aye
Mr. Pratt Aye
Judge Talbot Aye
Adjourned meeting convened at 2:30 Saturday afternoon, August
16th. Present: Chairman Pratt, Mrs. Hood, Judge Talbot, Comp-
troller Gorman and Mr. Duncan.
Mr. Duncan outlined for the Board the characteristics of several
types of boilers.
1. Cast iron boiler is good for low pressure steam up to
30 lbs. Cast iron boiler is good for large loads but
cannot be used for overload. It is at its maximum
efficiency at its own load.
2. Fire tube boiler is constructed like a locomotive, with
steel fire-box, can carry 75% to 100% overload, but
efficiency drops. Its efficiency is maximum at its
normal rating.
3. Sterling type vertical tube boilers have their efficiency
increased with overload. These boilers have greatest
safety factor and are very easily repaired.
Mr. Duncan recommended that two 25-horse power boilers should
be installed in the Dairy building, since it is more satisfac-
tory to install them in pairs and that concrete tunnels lead
therefrom to the Education building, heat in buildings north
of this point to be cared for from the new unit, which would be
part of the permanent plant. Pending word as to whether these
boilers could be received by the first of December and the laid-
down cost of boilers, the Board held its definite decision in
abeyance.
The Board authorized Mr. Duncan from probably six eastern firms
to secure prices and guaranteed delivery dates of two Sterling
Type A tube boilers F. O. B. Reno, freight prepaid. Mr. Duncan
is to advise the Board of such answers as he may receive prior
to 10 o'clock, Wednesday morning, August 20th, at which time
the adjourned meeting will be held, since President Clark will
probably be present at that time. Installation of the new
boilers in the Dairy building will necessitate new quarters for
the Extension staff now housed on the second floor, since part
of that floor will have to be removed.
Mr. Duncan estimated the probable cost of this new unit as
follows:
2 boilers $ 7,500
Foundation for same 2,000
4 oil burners 2,500
Remodeling Diary building 3,000
400 ft. trenching 5' x 6 1/2'
inside measurement 5,000
Piping, 400' 14" size and 6" size 5,000
(Actual cost of pipe, $3500)
Covering 2,000
Hot water heaters 1,500
Temporary vacuum pump 1,000
Steel smoke stack 3,000
Total approximate cost $32,500
Adjourned to meet at 10 o'clock, Wednesday, August 20, 1924.
The adjourned meeting of the Board was held in the Office of
President Clark at 10 o'clock A.M. Wednesday, August 20th.
Present: Chairman Pratt, Mrs. Hood, Judge Talbot, President
Clark and Comptroller Gorman.
Chairman Pratt outlined for President Clark the progress of heat-
ing plans thus far, and read bids submitted by Mr. Duncan for
the battery of two Sterling Type water tube boilers.
A general discussion of the heating situation followed. It seem-
ed, after careful analysis, that it would not be earlier than two
years from this Fall and more likely it would be three years from
this Fall, before a new building would need to be carried by our
central heating plant. Inasmuch, therefore, as the present plant
is functioning quite satisfactorily for all buildings, save the
two Dormitories, in spite of its overload and lack of balance,
and because he felt that before the Regents should expend $50,000
or $60,000 for the construction of a new central heating plant,
it would be wise to secure the check-up of Mr. Duncan's findings
by some eastern heating engineer who had had experience in cold-
er climates than Mr. Duncan, Judge Talbot moved that we put in
a temporary hot water plant in the basement of the Dining Hall,
sufficient to heat the Dining Hall and Manzanita Hall and another
temporary hot water plant in the basement of Lincoln Hall, suf-
ficient to heat Lincoln Hall, and that these 3 buildings be cut
off from the present heating plant; that Mr. Pratt and Mr. Gorman
be authorized to see that these new plants, with expansion tanks
and other necessary appliances, are properly installed. Also,
when specifications for the installation of these plants are
received from Mr. Duncan, that due notice will be given to deal-
ers and plumbers of Reno. In making this change the present
central plant will be cut off from its expansion tank. The mo-
tion of Judge Talbot included authorization of Mr. Pratt and Mr.
Gorman to install an expansion plant for the present system in
Stewart Hall or some other suitable place. Vote:
Mrs. Hood Aye
Mr. Pratt Aye
Judge Talbot Aye
President Clark brought up the subject of denying entrance to
University grounds to motorists and suggested that perhaps as
satisfactory results in abating nuisances connected with auto-
mobile traffic on the Campus might be obtained through con-
ferences with staff members and students and through notices
and signs as by direct rulings. The Regents expressed them-
selves as willing to allow the President to try out his method.
Chairman Pratt moved that the Regents' rule denying motors the
right to the Campus during certain hours be held in abeyance
until the next meeting of the Board. Vote:
Mrs. Hood Aye
Mr. Pratt Aye
Judge Talbot Aye
Adjourned until 9 o'clock A.M. Saturday, August 30th.
Walter E. Pratt
Chairman
Carolyn M. Beckwith
Secretary